South Bend Personal Injury Law Blog

You probably relive the car accident every day and perhaps dream about it at night. However, your loved one is the one who truly suffers and perhaps will suffer for the rest of his or her life. When the doctor explained to you the damage to your loved one's spinal cord, you likely felt emotions you have never experienced. Now all you can do is wonder what happens next.

Almost half of all spinal cord injuries are the result of motor vehicle accidents, and over 90 percent of the victims of these horrific injuries end up with total or partial paralysis to some degree. You certainly want your loved one to recover as fully as possible, but you… Read Full Post

The Indiana news is often filled with stories about jackknifed tractor-trailers. These large vehicles can pose a serious danger to others on the road when they end up in a jackknife situation. IN.gov reports that jackknifing is when a semi’s trailer slides sideways towards the cab of the truck. The most common cause is braking issues where the brakes lock up. It is recommended that all trucks are equipped with anti-lock brake systems, which can help reduce this situation from occurring. Both the truck and the trailer should have ABS.

Drivers should also become familiar with… Read Full Post

Even after the sun sets in Indiana, thousands of vehicles fill the roadways. People continue to travel, completing errands, coming home from work or rushing out to meet with friends. Although the roadways may appear to be the same at night as during the day, they are not. The risk for getting killed in a motor vehicle accident is significantly higher after the sun goes down. In fact, people are three times more likely to die in a car accident at night than they are during the day. This may be due to a number of factors that make it more difficult for people to navigate… Read Full Post

Accidents in Indiana involving large trucks are often serious. Because of this, it is important for the government to step in and enact rules to assure that everyone stays safe on the roadways. One area where there is a major concern when it comes to truck drivers is drowsy driving. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that driver fatigue is a leading cause in the almost 4,000 deaths attributed to truck accidents each year.

Because of the concern over drowsy driving in truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration… Read Full Post

Your skin is extremely strong, yet sensitive. When you sustain a severe burn, it is a serious matter.

Did you know that in according to the American Burn Association 40,000 people were hospitalized for burn injuries in 2016? The number who received medical treatment for burns far exceeded that number at a total of more than 400,000 people.

What's a severe burn?

Burns are classified as first, second or third degree burns on the basis of how deeply into layers of skin it reaches. If it's only a first degree burn, like sunburn, it is uncomfortable, and possibly irritating, but not serious. You normally can take… Read Full Post

From drunk driving collisions to large truck crashes, traffic accidents take numerous forms. However, those who are employed as road construction workers face threats every day they head to work. If you live in South Bend, or any other part of Indiana, you should always keep an eye out for road workers when passing through a highway work zone. If you are employed as a road construction worker and hit by a negligent driver, you should carefully assess your options.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, 106 road construction workers passed away in a work zone accident during 2011. Generally,… Read Full Post

Burn injuries may be caused by a variety of factors, and they have a varying level of physical and psychological impact on victims. While most people in Indiana have experienced a minor burn at some point in their lives, some endure more severe injuries which have a profound effect on their future. According to Heathline, there are four levels of burns. First- and second-degree burns result in irritation, pain and inconvenience, but they can generally be treated at home. These burns typically heal within a matter of days with little to no long-lasting effect. It should be noted, however, that all burn injuries have the potential to develop infection, possibly even tetanus. Therefore, every… Read Full Post

The laws on motorcycle helmet use are different from state to state. In Indiana, the helmet law only applies to riders under the age of 17, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute. The District of Columbia and 19 other states, though, have laws that cover all riders, which is referred to as a universal law. While each state has the right to enact whatever helmet law they desire, there is a push for all states to adopt universal laws because of the evidence that shows wearing a helmet can save lives.

According to Advocates for Auto and Highway… Read Full Post

One of the most controversial topics when it comes to sharing the road with motorcycles is lane-splitting. While many motorists are upset at the two-wheeled vehicles that speed past their windows during heavy traffic times, others feel that the maneuver is beneficial for all drivers. Lawmakers in Indiana will soon need to address the issue as states across the country take a firm stance on whether or not the practice is accepted within their boundaries.

The American Motorcyclist Association published a study performed by the University of California Berkeley about the safety… Read Full Post

When it comes to driving a truck, your license is key to your livelihood. This is one of the reasons why it is so important for Commercial Motor Vehicle operators in Indiana to be aware of the actions they may inadvertently take that can lead to a license disqualification. There are several things you need to keep in mind.

First, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that the allowed intoxication level is lower for truck drivers than for other motorists. As a CDL operator, you can be ticketed if your blood alcohol concentration level registers above 0.04 percent, which is half the… Read Full Post